1. Dante and “The Inferno”

2. Dante Alighieri • Born in Florence, Italy in 1265 • Father was a notary to a family loyal to the Papacy, so family had good political standing • Dante was exiled after the opposing political party gained power in 1302 • Was inspired by Virgil and Aristotle • Died in Ravenna, Italy in 1321

3. The Inferno • The Divine Comedy is an allegory of life and God revealed to a pilgrim • Dante travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven in the book’s three sections • The tale represents the recognition and rejection of sin on the journey towards God and Heaven

4. Levels of Hell • Hell is divided into nine circle. Some circles have sub-circles within them for the different types of certain sins • Each sin and it’s sub-types have specialized punishments • Limbo – people who were not baptized or who were born and died before the advent of Christianity. • Lust • Gluttony • Greed • Anger • Heresy

5. 7. Violence - against people and property - suicides and profligates - against God 9. Treachery - against family - political - guests - lords and benefactors 8. Fraud - panderers and seducers - flatterers - simony (selling church offices) - sorcerers/false prophets - corrupt politicians - hypocrites - thieves - discords - falsifiers/alchemists